Trump’s refusal Wednesday to commit to accepting a loss in the November election with a peaceful transfer of power continues to make waves. Today the New York Times reported that military officers are worried that Trump will try to drag them into a contested election. But while people are rightly frightened about Trump’s increasing authoritarianism, it’s important to understand that he is deploying these particular threats about the election to create an impression that he has the option to control the outcome in November. He does not have that option.
I lived in Botswana during most of the 90s. In 1998, the President, Sir Ketumile Masire, announced his retirement and went on a tour of towns and villages throughout the country to speak directly with people. I happened to be in a rural village with a student group when the President came for a visit, and he sat for hours behind a table with his head bowed down a bit as a bunch of men and women stepped up to the microphone and gave him direct and often passionate feedback. I was afraid Pres. Masire wasn’t paying attention because his head was down and he didn’t move while people were speaking, but then he finally stood up with a well-worn notebook in his hand and began responding to each of the speakers by name, answering their questions if he could, and if he couldn’t, directing his secretary to get various government ministers and members of Parliament to directly contact them within the week. Masire even asked for and wrote down the people’s contact information, and gave them his secretary’s phone number to call if they hadn’t received an answer within a reasonable amount of time or had any follow-up questions. He and his wife then sat in folding chairs in the middle of the crowd of people and everyone ate lunch and talked. I didn’t sit near Pres. Masire during lunch, but I often heard his famously booming laugh over the next hour.
And Botswana is a shithole country? Can you imagine Trump leaving office with such respect, humility, and dignity?
WOW!! How you put together these multilayered, inside out, upside down jigsaw puzzles of facts (about fiction) is truly amazing. Cogent, hopeful and Instructive: We shall preserve and honor the American Vote. Thank You.
Thank you for the Mr. Wollum viewpoint, Heather. Even though it was [gulp] 50 years ago when I took his Driver's Ed course at West Seattle High, I still practice "looking at the big picture". Your Letter this morning helped me focus on what's ahead instead of the aggravating dandruff our president sheds on a daily basis. I have always had faith that the voters will come through and do their part. And until something else happens, I want to believe that plans are in place, with leadership (that has been at this game far longer than Mr. Trump and his revolving door of business cronies he has hired into government jobs) to go forward with a peaceful transfer of government. No doubt The Donald will kick up a fuss and throw tantrums, and no doubt attempt to stir up mayhem, but that's when mayors and governors and just ordinary folk get to step up take back their communities. Yup. You're my Mr. Wollum. (He also taught me that the left lane on highways/freeways is a passing lane. Some people need a refresher.) Thanks, Heather.
When I read about the plan to issue $200 prescription cards to senior citizens, I first thought "bread and circus" and then enjoyed a hearty laugh. I am fortunate that I only take two prescription medications and both are very low cost. However, before I retired as an RN case manager, I worked with patients trying to obtain lower costs on their very expensive medications. Some of these meds were ridiculously expensive and were often the very ones that meant the difference between life and death to these patients. $200? A mere drop in a rainstorm. He is only becoming more and more ridiculous as time goes on.
Heather, Thank you for your daily commentary. It always meets my self imposed desire to learn something new each day. I also routinely watch "reruns" of your History chat on Facebook. I have been interested in how the limitation of 435 House members skews the power of my vote in the number of Representatives in my state and the electoral college. I have produced a chart showing the number of citizens each Representative represents in his/her state. I was particularly interested in my State of Michigan which has the 8 largest population but is 30th in representation. I found it very interesting that Montana has the least represented population with 917,621 citizens represented by its lone House member while Wyoming has the best representation with its single house member having 501,202 citizens in its lone district. This is a huge discrepancy. The information is on the internet in chart form but a little spreadsheet math is necessary to fill out the details.
Once more, thank you for your insight and your opinion. It makes me think. I wish more people did just that.
Please forgive misspellings and word misuse. I am legally blind and do not always catch my errors.
It's become a high point of my day to get up around midnight to read your Letters when the first come into my email. It's like a beacon of truth that I can count on to reset reality and assure me that our democracy will prevail and one day the man who would be king will be gone, along with all the sycophants who enabled him. I can't thank you enough for your clear and concise analysis.
That’s so choice that they’re running out of money. Your letter makes me feel better tonight!
I lost a friend to cancer today. And it hit home for me just how insane it is that people brush aside the Covid count! I literally personally know people who say it isn’t real! It is Crushing to lose a loved one! But to be told it’s a lie and doesn’t count? I can’t imagine the grief that inflicts on families. On our Nation!
Taking apart dumpty’s falsehoods, gives me hope! It is like being told no you’re not crazy! And it’s going to be okay! Thank you!
Trump is a bully and a coward. He may be petulant upon losing in November, but he is powerless to change the outcome and he knows it. Our institutions and the will of the people are bigger than him. He may indeed need to be escorted out under guard (sorta like getting fired in a corporation). Also, despair is not even on my horizon. That said, I know there are many who are less fortunate and may indeed see a bleak future. I volunteer at Food Banks, Schools and Land Conservation and I will vote for Biden for their, mine, and my children and grandchildren's better future.
Enjoying my morning tea with all of you. I wish that the media would quit giving him the attention he so actively seeks. His antics are not news, they are simply the circus part of "bread and circuses". He will continue to try to scare the country, but the more outrageous his actions the more he will alienate anyone with at least two bent brain cells to rub together. His pick of Barrett as a nominee makes me want to look behind that pick, he did not select her, he was fed that selection.
I think it’s fair to say that if we keep thinking doomsday, we’ll create it. This is what he’s trying to do and most people are falling right into his smelly tiny hands. WE have the power!
A very wise man once said to me “stop borrowing trouble”. Well......just STOP IT! If you don’t stop it then you are part of the problem.
Thank you Heather. This certainly defuses Trumps daily dog whistle. You would think at this point his cult would be full of his bluster, but yet they can't wait for his next altered reality. Though I am not relaxing concerning this election and all of this deceit that this Administration sprinkles like confetti, I am gaining some confidence that they will ultimately end themselves. They are not the boss of us. Be well, stay safe.
Dr. Richardson, it is so helpful to be able to read your informative and incisive letters. That you know we are out here and speak directly to us in the most dignified and gracious manner, is like hearing the cathedral in my city neighborhood ringing the morning bells. The consistency and clear tone are sustaining. Deep bow.
I will be so glad when this election is over, even if it means violence in the streets which may be the death of me. To no longer have to cringe when hearing those clearly LYING, FAKE TV ADS this sociopath spews with impunity would be nice.
We need something in this “mass communication age” that requires a “Citation Needed” response before any obvious lies aimed at the ignorant cult base can be aired. Some kind of “truth in advertising” requirement. Something to make clear that “Obamacare” is now “Trumpdoesnotcare.” Or that Joe Biden and the Dems will raise your taxes if you make a million dollars a year, like we had when Dwight Eisenhower was prez.
I want that asswipe out of office for a multitude of reasons that I’ve expressed before the idiots elected him, but add to that so I won’t have to hear his monotone speech impediment spewing from his face anus.
Vote. Vote. vote. We have to have such an overwhelming rejection of the Cheeto that the Supremes won't intervene. We cannot trust Kavanaugh, Thomas, Alito, and whatever joker he forces into Ginsburg's seat. The others might feel a wee spark of shame. But that is not a sufficient protection for democracy.
There was a news report last night (9/25) that Caputo has been diagnosed with brain cancer, which if it is true could account for him going off the rails in such a spectacular way. So the "ad campaign"might also be dead in the water . . .
I lived in Botswana during most of the 90s. In 1998, the President, Sir Ketumile Masire, announced his retirement and went on a tour of towns and villages throughout the country to speak directly with people. I happened to be in a rural village with a student group when the President came for a visit, and he sat for hours behind a table with his head bowed down a bit as a bunch of men and women stepped up to the microphone and gave him direct and often passionate feedback. I was afraid Pres. Masire wasn’t paying attention because his head was down and he didn’t move while people were speaking, but then he finally stood up with a well-worn notebook in his hand and began responding to each of the speakers by name, answering their questions if he could, and if he couldn’t, directing his secretary to get various government ministers and members of Parliament to directly contact them within the week. Masire even asked for and wrote down the people’s contact information, and gave them his secretary’s phone number to call if they hadn’t received an answer within a reasonable amount of time or had any follow-up questions. He and his wife then sat in folding chairs in the middle of the crowd of people and everyone ate lunch and talked. I didn’t sit near Pres. Masire during lunch, but I often heard his famously booming laugh over the next hour.
And Botswana is a shithole country? Can you imagine Trump leaving office with such respect, humility, and dignity?
WOW!! How you put together these multilayered, inside out, upside down jigsaw puzzles of facts (about fiction) is truly amazing. Cogent, hopeful and Instructive: We shall preserve and honor the American Vote. Thank You.
Thank you for the Mr. Wollum viewpoint, Heather. Even though it was [gulp] 50 years ago when I took his Driver's Ed course at West Seattle High, I still practice "looking at the big picture". Your Letter this morning helped me focus on what's ahead instead of the aggravating dandruff our president sheds on a daily basis. I have always had faith that the voters will come through and do their part. And until something else happens, I want to believe that plans are in place, with leadership (that has been at this game far longer than Mr. Trump and his revolving door of business cronies he has hired into government jobs) to go forward with a peaceful transfer of government. No doubt The Donald will kick up a fuss and throw tantrums, and no doubt attempt to stir up mayhem, but that's when mayors and governors and just ordinary folk get to step up take back their communities. Yup. You're my Mr. Wollum. (He also taught me that the left lane on highways/freeways is a passing lane. Some people need a refresher.) Thanks, Heather.
When I read about the plan to issue $200 prescription cards to senior citizens, I first thought "bread and circus" and then enjoyed a hearty laugh. I am fortunate that I only take two prescription medications and both are very low cost. However, before I retired as an RN case manager, I worked with patients trying to obtain lower costs on their very expensive medications. Some of these meds were ridiculously expensive and were often the very ones that meant the difference between life and death to these patients. $200? A mere drop in a rainstorm. He is only becoming more and more ridiculous as time goes on.
Heather, Thank you for your daily commentary. It always meets my self imposed desire to learn something new each day. I also routinely watch "reruns" of your History chat on Facebook. I have been interested in how the limitation of 435 House members skews the power of my vote in the number of Representatives in my state and the electoral college. I have produced a chart showing the number of citizens each Representative represents in his/her state. I was particularly interested in my State of Michigan which has the 8 largest population but is 30th in representation. I found it very interesting that Montana has the least represented population with 917,621 citizens represented by its lone House member while Wyoming has the best representation with its single house member having 501,202 citizens in its lone district. This is a huge discrepancy. The information is on the internet in chart form but a little spreadsheet math is necessary to fill out the details.
Once more, thank you for your insight and your opinion. It makes me think. I wish more people did just that.
Please forgive misspellings and word misuse. I am legally blind and do not always catch my errors.
Barry Matthews
Hamlin Township Gadfly
Ludington MI
It's become a high point of my day to get up around midnight to read your Letters when the first come into my email. It's like a beacon of truth that I can count on to reset reality and assure me that our democracy will prevail and one day the man who would be king will be gone, along with all the sycophants who enabled him. I can't thank you enough for your clear and concise analysis.
That’s so choice that they’re running out of money. Your letter makes me feel better tonight!
I lost a friend to cancer today. And it hit home for me just how insane it is that people brush aside the Covid count! I literally personally know people who say it isn’t real! It is Crushing to lose a loved one! But to be told it’s a lie and doesn’t count? I can’t imagine the grief that inflicts on families. On our Nation!
Taking apart dumpty’s falsehoods, gives me hope! It is like being told no you’re not crazy! And it’s going to be okay! Thank you!
Trump is a bully and a coward. He may be petulant upon losing in November, but he is powerless to change the outcome and he knows it. Our institutions and the will of the people are bigger than him. He may indeed need to be escorted out under guard (sorta like getting fired in a corporation). Also, despair is not even on my horizon. That said, I know there are many who are less fortunate and may indeed see a bleak future. I volunteer at Food Banks, Schools and Land Conservation and I will vote for Biden for their, mine, and my children and grandchildren's better future.
Ah, once again to begin my day inhaling a breath of sanity. 😘
Enjoying my morning tea with all of you. I wish that the media would quit giving him the attention he so actively seeks. His antics are not news, they are simply the circus part of "bread and circuses". He will continue to try to scare the country, but the more outrageous his actions the more he will alienate anyone with at least two bent brain cells to rub together. His pick of Barrett as a nominee makes me want to look behind that pick, he did not select her, he was fed that selection.
I think it’s fair to say that if we keep thinking doomsday, we’ll create it. This is what he’s trying to do and most people are falling right into his smelly tiny hands. WE have the power!
A very wise man once said to me “stop borrowing trouble”. Well......just STOP IT! If you don’t stop it then you are part of the problem.
Thank you Heather. This certainly defuses Trumps daily dog whistle. You would think at this point his cult would be full of his bluster, but yet they can't wait for his next altered reality. Though I am not relaxing concerning this election and all of this deceit that this Administration sprinkles like confetti, I am gaining some confidence that they will ultimately end themselves. They are not the boss of us. Be well, stay safe.
Dr. Richardson, it is so helpful to be able to read your informative and incisive letters. That you know we are out here and speak directly to us in the most dignified and gracious manner, is like hearing the cathedral in my city neighborhood ringing the morning bells. The consistency and clear tone are sustaining. Deep bow.
I will be so glad when this election is over, even if it means violence in the streets which may be the death of me. To no longer have to cringe when hearing those clearly LYING, FAKE TV ADS this sociopath spews with impunity would be nice.
We need something in this “mass communication age” that requires a “Citation Needed” response before any obvious lies aimed at the ignorant cult base can be aired. Some kind of “truth in advertising” requirement. Something to make clear that “Obamacare” is now “Trumpdoesnotcare.” Or that Joe Biden and the Dems will raise your taxes if you make a million dollars a year, like we had when Dwight Eisenhower was prez.
I want that asswipe out of office for a multitude of reasons that I’ve expressed before the idiots elected him, but add to that so I won’t have to hear his monotone speech impediment spewing from his face anus.
Vote. Vote. vote. We have to have such an overwhelming rejection of the Cheeto that the Supremes won't intervene. We cannot trust Kavanaugh, Thomas, Alito, and whatever joker he forces into Ginsburg's seat. The others might feel a wee spark of shame. But that is not a sufficient protection for democracy.
There was a news report last night (9/25) that Caputo has been diagnosed with brain cancer, which if it is true could account for him going off the rails in such a spectacular way. So the "ad campaign"might also be dead in the water . . .
“It is up to us to reject Trump's fictions and reclaim the national conversation from the anger and hatred and fear Trump is stoking.”
Amen, and thank you for saying this. I predict I’ll your statement will be shared on repeat, at least by me.